This project is one example of UNESCO’s efforts to contribute to the process of creating open learning communities, by facilitating ICT-based content development processes in community centres in Mozambique (Manhiça) and South Africa (Alexandra Township).

Due to Internet access limitations (cost, infrastructures), we recognised quite early that communities would opt for CD-ROMs rather than Internet, as the most reliable means of sharing content and facilitating learning

A survey on ICT application packages addressing development and learning needs that could be relevant to the work of this project was conducted. The examples illustrate various methods of electronic information and training modalities, such as web-based, interactive, 3D, graphical/audio/text-based applications, including the use of local languages, images and traditions. They will help the country teams to select appropriate technology and methods for the CD-ROM applications to be developed. The idea is to develop packages using participatory methodologies, which involve the communities in planning, content identification, presentation, etc… thereby seeking to ensure that the packages are pertinent, useful and accessible to the communities. These packages will be broadly disseminated (SADC countries).

Over 25 applications ranging from agricultural databases for livestock and crop production to banking software for micro-credit operations were found. But as our project seeks to involve as wide a cross-section of the community as possible, especially women and youth, we felt that the focus and issues addressed by many of these packages was too limited.

We therefore selected the seven examples below for review to illustrate some “best practices.” They were produced in and for contexts in Africa and South America, which seemed relevant to the local contexts involved in this project.

The review considered aspects such as:

Level of literacy required

Use of local languages

Use of context specific sounds and images

Possibility to learn individually and collectively

Interactivity

User group(s)

Types of technology used

…

TITLE

THEMES

TARGET GROUPS

DEVELOPERS

ALMA - African Language Material Archives

Education Business Health/sanityLiterature

School and university students, non-African students and scholars of African languages, teachers of African languages